Should I See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

The first moments following a car accident can be extremely overwhelming. If the accident is more than a minor fender bender, law enforcement officials and emergency medical technicians will show up on the scene. Once they’ve arrived, they’re going to offer you a medical evaluation and care if needed. It’s always in your best interest to take advantage of an immediate medical evaluation after a car accident since it’s important to rule out any serious injuries that could cause long-term damage.

If there are no medical professionals at the accident scene, it can be easy to move on with your life without seeking medical treatment. However, whether you have a minor injury, a major one, or no injury at all, you should always see a doctor following a car accident.

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man holding the back of his neck with his spine highlighted

Don’t Assume Your Pain Is Unrelated to Your Car Accident

One of the biggest mistakes people make following a car accident is not acknowledging existing pain. Many people will feel an ache from a sore neck or headache and attribute it to a prior ailment. However, there are injuries that can seem minor but are often signs of more serious underlying issues. They can include:

Whiplash
Contusions
and bruises.

If such injuries don’t get treated, they can develop into more serious, chronic injuries.

In the days and months following an accident, if you experience an ache or pain, even if it’s similar to something that’s happened before, you should seek treatment from a trusted medical professional.

When is the Best Time to See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait to seek treatment from a medical professional. To catch underlying injuries, it’s best to see a doctor within the first week. An immediate evaluation creates official documentation of any ailments or injuries you might be experiencing related to the car accident.

It’s not uncommon to feel more symptoms related to common car accident injuries as time passes. Injuries like whiplash often cause muscles to become stiffer over a period of rest. Likewise, common ailments such as a headache might be the sign of a more serious concern like a traumatic brain injury.

injury attorney meeting client in office

Keep Records of Your Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation

If you’re suffering from an injury after a car accident, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the steady doctors’ appointments and rising medical bills. That doesn’t mean you should stop seeking treatment. If your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation according to California law. Common reasons people seek compensation after a car accident include:

Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Future loss of wages
Cost of rehabilitation
Medical equipment
…and more

If you’ve seen a doctor for a car accident-related injury and the medical bills are piling up, you should seek assistance from an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. With the help of the documentation from your doctors’ appointments, they can build a case for a settlement in your favor.

Why You Should Trust The Barnes Firm with Your Accident Claim

The Barnes Firm’s best car accident lawyers in Los Angeles, San Diego and Oakland have achieved outstanding results for their clients over their decades of combined experience. They’ve helped thousands of people win the settlements they deserve so they can move forward with their lives – and they want to help you too.

Our firm is one of the largest personal injury firms in the country and we strive to get you the best possible result, whether that means settling with the insurance company or taking them to court. We are prepared to do both and have achieved excellent results for our clients for years.

To schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable attorney regarding your car accident injuries and increasing medical debt, call The Barnes Firm today. We’re here to help you recover what you’ve lost.

The Barnes Firm 800-800-0000

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